Scarborough police use Facebook to save resident's life

Scarborough police say they used Facebook to save a man's life on Wednesday.

According to their Facebook page, the Police Department was contacted through Facebook by a man in the United Kingdom who alerted them to a possible suicide attempt by a Scarborough resident.

"We were able to locate where that person likely was, and we sent patrol officers there. They were able to find him, offer him help and take him to the hospital where he's getting the help he needs," said John Gill with the Police Department.

The Police Department reminds people that its Facebook page is not monitored 24/7, and the best was to reach them is by calling 911.

The age of the person involved is not known. but according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Maine, has a higher rate of youth suicide than the national average and the highest rate in the Northeast.

Suicide is also the second-leading cause of death among Mainers ages 15-34.

On average there is one suicide every two days in Maine.

Jenna Mehnert, who is the executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness said the suicide rate in Maine is increasing.

"You're 10 times more likely to die from a suicide in Maine than a homicide," said Mehnert.

He said threats of suicide should be taken seriously, especially if it is made online.

"People are more willing to express themselves to a computer keyboard than they are to other people," said Mehnert.

She said the man in the UK did the right thing.

"If you have concerns, you should share those concerns because it's better to share those concerns than to have a tragedy happen," said Mehnert.

If you are in crisis, or know someone who needs help, call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800-273-TALK

Hillary Clinton's office said "nothing nefarious was at play" when the former secretary of state used her personal email address, rather than one provided by the State Department, during her four years as America's top diplomat.